A*STAR Talent Search (A*TS) 2008

The A*STAR Talent Search (A*TS), sponsored by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and organised with the support of the Singapore Science Centre (SSC), recognises students who have excelled in scientific research.

A*TS Applicant Requirements

Singaporean/ PR - Aged between 15-18 yrs (as of 31st Dec 2007 )

In a secondary school or pre-university

Interested in a long-term career as a researcher

Only individual category. No team category.

Individual applications can be submitted for team projects

All A*TS participants are required to take part in SSEF

All applicants are required to register online between Nov 2007 to 01 Dec 2007 and are required to submit the following documents by 9 January 2008

Judging Process

All candidates are required to showcase their research projects in the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) for the first round of judging.

Short-listed candidates will undergo at least 2 more rounds of interviews by a panel of distinguished judges from various universities and research institutes.

Judging Criteria

Criteria

Points

Depth of understanding of project

30

Creative ability / Independent thinking

30

Scientific attitude / Motivation and interests

20

Potential to pursue R&D careers / Vision and goal

20

A*TS Prizes

Student Category:

Student

Prize

Points allocated to winner's school

First Place

Cash prize plus a sponsored trip to an overseas conference worth S$5,000 in total

Trophy

Certificate

5

Second Place

Cash prize of S$3,000

Trophy

Certificate

3

Third Place

Cash prize of S$2,000

Trophy

Certificate

2

Commendation (Up to 4)

Cash prize of S$1,000

Certificate

1

School Category:

Schools are awarded points according to the placement of their winning students. For example, if the first place winner is from XYZ school, then XYZ school will be awarded 5 points. To allow the schools to promote and improve science learning, prize monies and certificates will be given to the three schools with the most accumulated points.

Projects requiring special approvals (see instructions below) need to be approved before commencement of the research.

Projects without online registration (deadline 1 Dec 07) will not be considered for the fair.

Instructions for submitting an entry can be found here (109Kb). Note: For Bibliography, you are required to list at least 5 major references (e.g., science journal articles, books, internet sites) for your project.

Project reports (4 copies)must be submitted by 9 January 2008 to the Singapore Science Centre along with a completed A*TS entry form and the necessary forms.

If you are submitting an individual project for SSEF and taking part in A*TS, you are required to just submit the A*TS entry form (206Kb). There is no need to complete the SSEF entry form , as you will automatically be entered for SSEF [It is mandatory for all A*TS participants to take part in SSEF].

If you are submitting a team project for SSEF and individually for A*TS, you will need to fill in a SSEF entry form for your team, and a A*TS entry form for yourself.

Here are the forms to be submitted with your project. To download all the forms, please click here (209Kb).

Form

Description

Checklist for Adult Sponsor/ Safety Assessment Form (1)

Required for all projects!

Student Checklist Form and Research Plan (1A)

Required for all projects!

Approval Form (1B)

Required for all projects!

Regulated Research Institutional/ Industrial Setting Form (1C)

Required for projects that are conducted in a regulated research institution (e.g. universities, medical centres, A*Star research institutes, etc), industrial setting or any work site other than home, school or field.

Qualified Scientist Form (2)

Required for projects that involve human subjects, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents, DEA-controlled substances. To be signed prior the start of experimentation by DS or QS

Risk Assessment Form (3)

Required for projects that use hazardous chemicals, activities or regulated substances devices and some potentially hazardous biological agents. To be signed prior to experimentation by the DS or QS

Human Subjects Form (4)

Required for all research that involves human subjects. IRB approval is required before experimentation

Vertebrate Animal Form (5A)/(5B)

Form 5(A): Required for all research that involves vertebrate animals conducted in a Non-Regulated Research site. SRC approval is needed before experimentation

Form 5(B)

Required for all research that involves vertebrate animals conducted at a Regulated Research Institution. IACUC approval is needed before experimentation

Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form (6A)

Required for all research that involves microorganisms, rDNA and fresh tissue, blood and body fluids. SRC/IACUC/IBC/RAC approval is needed before experimentation

Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form (6B)

Required for all projects using fresh tissue, primary cell cultures, blood, blood products and body fluids. All projects using any tissue listed above must also complete Form 6A . If the research involves living organisms, please ensure that proper human or animal forms are completed.

Continuation Projects Form (7)

Required for projects that are a continuation in the same field from a previous year (s)' project